Spirometry in primary health care as a tool for the family and community physician - experience report

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable respiratory pathology, with spirometry being mandatory in the clinical suspicion of COPD, since it assesses the presence of airflow obstruction and bronchodilator response. Objective: To describe the use of spirometry in primary health care in patients with COPD. Methods: This is an experience report whose sample consisted of individuals with COPD who underwent spirometry in primary care by the family doctor. Results: There was a predominance of males (68.42%, n=13). Regarding the age group, the highest prevalence was in those individuals aged 70 to 79 years (36.84%). At spirometry, 42.11% (n=8) had a very severe flow restriction and 36.84% (n=7), severe. Conclusions: It is a pioneering project in the State of Santa Catarina and it is expected that its results will inspire other professionals to be trained in the practice of spirometry or use telemedicine as an option, given the great improvement in the diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for patients with this pathology. In the scenario of this research, there was benefit for these patients, both in cost reduction and in the optimization of their therapy from a clinical diagnosis, but also a complementary one.